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The Acts of the Apostles
power commanded the respect of the learned; while his earnest, logical
reasoning and the power of his oratory held the attention of all in the
audience. His hearers recognized the fact that he was no novice, but
was able to meet all classes with convincing arguments in support of
the doctrines he taught. Thus the apostle stood undaunted, meeting his
opposers on their own ground, matching logic with logic, philosophy
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with philosophy, eloquence with eloquence.
His heathen opponents called his attention to the fate of Socrates,
who, because he was a setter forth of strange gods, had been con-
demned to death, and they counseled Paul not to endanger his life
in the same way. But the apostle’s discourses riveted the attention
of the people, and his unaffected wisdom commanded their respect
and admiration. He was not silenced by the science or the irony of
the philosophers, and satisfying themselves that he was determined
to accomplish his errand among them, and, at all hazards, to tell his
story, they decided to give him a fair hearing.
They accordingly conducted him to Mars’ Hill. This was one of the
most sacred spots in all Athens, and its recollections and associations
were such as to cause it to be regarded with a superstitious reverence
that in the minds of some amounted to dread. It was in this place that
matters connected with religion were often carefully considered by
men who acted as final judges on all the more important moral as well
as civil questions.
Here, away from the noise and bustle of crowded thorough-
fares, and the tumult of promiscuous discussion, the apostle could
be heard without interruption. Around him gathered poets, artists, and
philosophers—the scholars and sages of Athens, who thus addressed
him: “May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest,
is? for thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know
thereof what these things mean.”
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In that hour of solemn responsibility, the apostle was calm and
self-possessed. His heart was burdened with an important message,
and the words that fell from his lips convinced his hearers that he was
no idle babbler. “Ye men of Athens,” he said, “I perceive that in all
things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your
devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To the Unknown God.
Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you.” With
all their intelligence and general knowledge, they were ignorant of the